Probiotics have finally emerged as a mainstream nutrient. I took my first probiotic back in 1972 on my first trip to Mexico. The potency of that product was 100 million bacteria. Low by today’s standards. I guess I was an early adopter because it has taken nearly 40 years for probiotics to be widely recognized as critical to human health. Finally. Now the problem is that while many people now know the term probiotic, many of them don’t know how to choose a safe AND effective product.

The first step is to become informed. Learn as much as you can about the benefits of probiotics and which strains and potencies have been clinically studied. The next step is to choose a probiotic from a company that has a reputation for quality products. Commit to a product for a long enough period of time for you to evaluate how well it works for you. I’ll discuss these issues in this interview with Dr. Jason Mitchell, CEO of Probulin.

“What is a Probiotic?
The word Probiotic, according to the WHO (World Health Organization), means:

“Probiotics are living microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”

“Pro” means “For”
Biotic means “Life”
Probiotic means “Pro-Life”

In other words, probiotics are “good bacteria”. Your native intestinal micro flora is your indigenous probiotics. Probiotic supplements provide beneficial living bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobactia, that help to support digestive balance and digestive health.

Many factors may contribute to an imbalance of your native gut flora such as diet, stress, illness, certain medications such as antibiotics, aging and much more. Such an imbalance may contribute to digestive upset and may lead to other issues.

The concept of probiotics was born in the early 20th century when Russian scientist Elie Metchnikoff hypothesized about the use of fermented milk and using them to elicit health benefits for people that consumed the yogurt like fermented milk. He concluded that the fermented milk product helped to “seed” the intestines with friendly beneficial bacteria. By seeding the intestines with these friendly probiotic bacteria he found that it may help suppress the growth of bad bacteria or at the very least keep things in balance. These fermented milks are the best examples of early probiotics.

Modern probiotics have become a great deal more convenient and in many cases possibly more powerful and even more focused.

What is a Prebiotic?
It is food for the probiotics. These prebiotics actually help the probiotics grow and flourish. They are extremely important in supporting the survival of probiotics.

Prebiotics important properties include:

Healthy bacteria- building potential

They are actually fiber

They are indigestible by bad bacteria

They are food for the probiotics

The three most common prebiotics are Inulin (used in all Probulin products), oligofructose, and polydextrose. It is key when choosing a probiotic supplement that you look for prebiotic fiber like Inulin.” excerpt from Probulin.com.

Probulin as a company was founded by Dr. Shekhar Challa. Dr. Challa is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. Dr. Challa is an award winning author of Probiotics For Dummies.He has been in private practice for over 27 years as the President of Kansas Medical Clinic, which is a multi-specialty clinic with offices in Topeka, Lawrence and Kansas City. Click Here for a FREE e-copy of Probiotics For Dummies.

About Jason Mitchell ND, CEO
Dr. Jason Mitchell grew up in the natural products industry and being exposed at such a young age to the value of healthy eating and natural living has shaped his ideology on living a higher quality of life. Dr. Mitchell has spent the last 15 years of his professional career developing over 200 industry leading dietary supplements. Before becoming the Chief Executive Officer for Probulin and its family of companies he was most recently the Chief Science Officer and one of the managing executives for Country life Vitamins.

Dr. Mitchell is a board certified Naturopathic Doctor and member of the American Naturopathic Medical Association as well as a member of the Certified Natural Health Professionals.